[REQUEST] Learning Linux

overburnz

Well-Known Member
Reaction score
642
Location
Portugal
Hi there, like the title implies, i'm trying to learn a little more in the linux world, but i'm not quite sure wich book i should read... what do you suggest?

Thanks in advance
 
I took the previous version of this course
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-linux-linuxfoundationx-lfs101x-1

It wasn't great, but was still helpful.

I'd say the best way to learn would be to get a general overview, then do a full project, and then zone in on things you want to learn more about.

I think most people learn by doing projects, although it's nice to get some 'theory' while you're doing a project rather than just a how-to walkthrough.
 
I'm a hands on kind of tech for the most part. I'll use books as reference materials as needed.

While GUI has improved tremendously over the years one still needs to learn CLI to have complete control. So if you've been weened in the Windoze or OS X world it might seem a bit difficult.

You can build a live distro from many different flavors. My personal favorites are OpenSUSE, Fedora Core and CentOS. But Ubuntu is probably one of the most popular. Either way you can run the live distro, via DVD or USB stick, to start with. If you have plenty of RAM and HD space you can build VM's using Oracle's Virtual Box.
 
While GUI has improved tremendously over the years one still needs to learn CLI to have complete control. So if you've been weened in the Windoze or OS X world it might seem a bit difficult.

Back in the Ubuntu 4 (Warty) and even up to 8 (Hardy) you still needed to have some command line knowledge but I was just thinking that I don't think I've used Linux command line more than a couple of times in the last several years and that's just from old habits.

Best way to learn Linux - Install and live with it. The help online is limitless. Someone, somewhere has had your problem before and discussed it online.
 
The way I learned (mostly) was from running various distro's in my VM to see how hard they were to install and use. I had almost decided upon Ubuntu - right up until that new desktop (Unity?) was released. I detested that desktop to the point that I gave many other distros (distributions) a look-see.

Then I found Linux Mint. Great O/S and I'm still learning as I use it. Thanks to @coffee for his assistance on getting me started with it. I use it as my main go-to computer (the one I'm currently using right now) for almost everything. Oh sure I have a WinBlow$ computer running 7x64 Pro as my Winderz computer, but I rely heavily on my Mint computer - running 18.2 Sonya 64-bit, Mate 1.18.0 desktop.

If you are really interested in learning linux, pay a visit to distrowatch.com and take a look at what they have to offer. If you decide to go with a variance of Debian you can't go wrong with Mint! Oh I like to have a hands-on learning experience.
 
I will echo what everyone else has said "Experience is the best teacher".
Kudo's to @Altster for the mention.

Want to learn linux? Download something like centos and setup everything. By the time you learn it you will know linux.

Ill also echo @Markverhyden in that I only used books for a reference. Come to think of it; I really dont even own a linux book. The linux world changes so quickly that by the time it hits print its obsolete. When you decide on a flavor to learn from then go join their forum site.

Some tips:
- Learn the command line and learn to like it. It will save your bacon many a time.
- Try out several flavors in a VM. I recommend centos for learning and Linux Mint with the Mate desktop as your daily driver.
- When researching how to do something pay attention to when it was written. Things change rapidly in linux as it evolves.
- Always make a backup before editing a file.

If you have questions or problems I am pretty much always available if you need me.

coffee
 
Thanks for all the replies :D @coffee unfortunately my laptop doesn't allow VM -.- amd processor with no virtualization support whatsoever -.-

i do have some old piece of crap that i can use tho lol

The reason i'm asking for a reference book is because i do like to read on some topics, but my main philosophy is "the best way to learn is doing it", and i've tried ubunt, mint and fedora but after the OS is installed i do not now what to do to try and learn more...
 
  • Like
Reactions: GTP
Thanks for all the replies :D @coffee unfortunately my laptop doesn't allow VM -.- amd processor with no virtualization support whatsoever -.-

i do have some old piece of crap that i can use tho lol

The reason i'm asking for a reference book is because i do like to read on some topics, but my main philosophy is "the best way to learn is doing it", and i've tried ubunt, mint and fedora but after the OS is installed i do not now what to do to try and learn more...

I just go to the forums and read the posts. You pick up on stuff there. Its good reading.

So, What are the specs on your system again?
 
I just go to the forums and read the posts. You pick up on stuff there. Its good reading.

So, What are the specs on your system again?


Toshiba Satellite C855D-124 AMD SSD 240GB Crucial and the rest is on the pic ;) (it's in portuguese lol)
 

Attachments

  • specs.PNG
    specs.PNG
    4.1 KB · Views: 7
The reason i'm asking for a reference book is because i do like to read on some topics, but my main philosophy is "the best way to learn is doing it", and i've tried ubunt, mint and fedora but after the OS is installed i do not now what to do to try and learn more...
Technibble, Google and Youtube would be your friends here. ;)
 
OH. A8 eh? Well, Time to find a used desktop I would say. Sorry :(
Jeez, I have a client running Mint 18.2 on an old AMD 1.8Ghz Sempron with 2 gigs of ram and a 40GB HDD.
Runs ok.
That A8 system should run Mint ok? You could also run it "live."
Or just try one of the minimalist distro's like Puppy, DSL or Tiny Core.
Don't need to buy another computer to run a tester/learner.
 
Same here :)

Trial & Error is the best way to learn.
1999. Installing and setting up Red Hat and Dolphin Linux. :eek: Now that was an experience!
Had to get networking, internet, video, keyboard and whole pile of other stuff working 'cause they didn't work "out-of-the-box" like they do now!
So satisfying when it suddenly works! :D
 
Back
Top